California
San Diego Hopes To Shed Its Military Town Image
With a diverse economy no longer dependent on military spending, the city is trying to lessen Uncle Sam's influence in its affairs and exert more control over its own destiny.
L.A.'s Urban Poor Face Worsening Housing Picture
As the city's core continues to gentrify, many low-income families are being left with few if any options for affordable housing.
The 'Ultimate Pedestrian Environment': Alleys
Alleys -- considered by many to be dangerous or neglected, can become a fertile ground for 'organic new urbanism', says architect David Winslow.
Cities Fear Impacts Of California's Prop 90
Local governments in California weary of losing the ability to 'plan' are speaking out against the initiative's purported goals of reforming eminent domain and the valuation of regulated land.
Rock Music Meets Public Transit
A free concert by the rock group The Secret Machines at Los Angeles' Union Station hopes to get more people to consider riding buses and trains.
Public Transit's Role In Disaster Planning
As both a major target of terrorism and a valuable evacuation tool, disaster planning officials are taking a closer look at the vulnerabilities and possibilities for mass transit.
Walking, Not Driving, On Beverly Hills' Rodeo Drive
Rodeo Drive could change its name to Rodeo Promenade as Beverly Hills considers designating one block of the famous shopping street for pedestrians only.
The Case For California Prop 90: The Death of Eminent Domain
Leonard Gilroy, AICP, makes the case for why Californians should support Proposition 90, which he suggests will block eminent domain abuses and limit regulatory takings.
Rents Rise As Housing Market Cools
While all eyes are on the potential housing bubble bursting, apartment rents are rising, over ten times more rapidly than home prices are falling in the Bay Area.
Dripping Through the Cracks?
A senior biologist writes about using CEQA to asess marginal or unprotected wetlands and waters.
Investing In The Inner City
Golden Boy Partners aims to produce affordable housing for working class neighborhoods in L.A.
Developer Makes NIMBYs Shareholders
The developer of a new condominium tower in Los Angeles gave local homeowner groups an equity interest in a future residential project in exchange for project approval.
Plans For An Urban State Park Unveiled In L.A.
Plans have been unveiled for a new state park near downtown Los Angeles, and though the plot is slated at 32 acres, many of the big-name architects presenting plans were not afraid to push the boundaries by a couple thousand percent.
Regulatory Takings Or Eminent Domain?
Property rights initiatives in four western states are hoping to draw in support from voters afraid of the spectre of eminent domain. But many see this as an inaccurate ploy.
Open Space, Growth, And Parks On Six Bay Area County Ballots
A ballot measure restricting growth on ranchland and hillsides in Santa Clara County is the most polarizing of the six county and two city measures that affect open space, parks, developments and urban growth boundaries.
California State Law Does Little to Limit Free Employee Parking
California's law to discourage car commuting is rarely followed; many companies breaking the law have never fined.
Hearings Begin About New S.F. Subway To Chinatown
The $1.4 billion, 5.1 mile Central Subway connecting the Caltrain Depot at Third and King Streets to Chinatown, is projected to be completed by 2016. Most of the funding has been secured and community meetings will start Oct. 17.
Maglev Is A Hard Sale In California
A California developer is pushing proposals for high-speed magnetic levitation trains. He's hoping private enterprise will help make the costly venture more attractive to state and regional governments.
Property Wrongs: Lessons from Oregon
Report by Seattle-based Sightline Institute documents a growing backlash against "property rights" initiatives in Oregon communities deeply affected by Oregon's Measure 37 and implications for western states.
USC Joins LA's Downtown Rennaisance
Urban universities including the Univ. of Southern California are working to transform their tough neighborhoods.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
